Telegraphic transmitter system



1942- w. G. RICE TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTER SYSTEM Feb.

Filed Jan. 15, 1940 IN VE N TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEGRAPHICTRANSMITTER SYSTEM Waldo G. Rice, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 15, 1940, Serial No. 313,807

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing telegraph apparatusand more particularly to an improved telegraphic transmitter circuit,although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantagefor other purposes. This application is a continuation in part of mycopending application serially numbered 312,626 and filed January 6,1940, relating to the telegraphic tape transmitter utilizing theteachings of the circuit embodying features of the present invention.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved telegraphictape transmitter and circuit that directs the sixth stop pulse through afeed tape magnet or relay control coil independent of the other pulses,thereby feeding tape from the main line direct through the feed magnetor through a relay operating the feed magnet.

The transmitter is shown and described in the aforesaid copendingapplication and is schematically illustrated herein to an extentnecessary to show the improvements constituting the present inventionconcerning itself with a simple and advantageous transmitter and circuitpreferably provided in association with the customary keyboard telegraphdistributor. The transmitter that is automatically responsive to a codeperforated tape constituting a message previously transferred thereto.The perforated tape message may be sent over the line and printed atboth local and distant stations, distributors and printers in the sameline at both local and dis- 1 tant stations are used for thetransmission and printing of messages to the end of effecting a greatsavings in installation costs, attendants time and space requirementscoupled with substantially increased capacity in message transmission.

Telegraph printers employing the start-stop principle of operation arenow widely used with limited exceptions; however, manual keyboardtransmission is still the common practice. It is well known that storedup work in the form of perforated tape displaced through a transmitteradvances greatly wire and labor economy and speed of operation. Some ofthe large telegraph offices are now equipped with an independent tapetransmitting unit necessitating floor space for a table upon which amotor, distributor and speed regulator in addition to the transmitter ismounted with extensive plugging in arrangements. The cost of thisequipment is relatively high so that one tape transmitter is designed tooperate-on many wires. This method of plugging in by turns and waitingfor assignments in the use of one unit entails delays, attendants timein making switches, and other disadvantages not conducive to volume. orefiicient operation.

With the teachings of the present invention, every keyboard distributorin any office having a tape perforator and/or receiving tape byreperforators from distant ofiicesfor'relay, is provided with atapetransmitter fixed thereto by fastening to the side of the keyboardand having plug cable connection to the keyboard for instantaneousoperative connection therewith. Simplicity and inexpensive constructiontogether with dependability of operation, is effected with improvedcontacts that frictionally glide over the perforated tape without anyloss of pulse (see aforesaid copending application).

This coupled with a simplified feed pawl serving as a direct linkbetween a very light armature and feed roll, insures instantaneousmovement of the tape with the expenditure of negligible power. This isaccomplished by the use of a solenoid and relay of very low wattagerequirements and yet procures the desired power of response with acurrent value that is a mere fraction of that required by transmittersof known construction for transmission of signals without distortion formultiple redistribution. These features overcome the complicated leveractions, high wattage requirements, and the time element involved withthe comparatively heavy solenoids used in transmitters of knownconstruction.

One object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter circuitthat will feed tape instantaneously by connecting the stop pulse at thecustomary current value which at present is approximately 50milliamperes from the main line direct through the feed magnet orthrough a relay operating the feed magnet.

Another object is to simplify the construction and improve the operationof devices of the character mentioned.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a directline transmitter tape feed of inexpensive construction and dependableoperation from the stop pulse independent of the other pulses.

A further object is to provide an improved transmitter circuit and pulseconnections for automatic message transmission responsive to thetraverse of perforated paper tape to effect message transmission and/orredistribution re- (siponsive to a feeding solenoid of low energy rain.

A still further object is to provide improved and simplified transmitterconnections that effect more dependable signal transmission responsiveto a code perforated tape or other medium of message transmission.

Still a further object is to provide an improved direct main lineelectromagnetic tape feeding mechanism possessed of an unusually highpower factor resulting in a low energy drain.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a schematic wiring diagram showing the transmitterconnections in conjunction with a distributor having an improved contactarrangement.

Figure 2 is a perspective view in elevation of pulse contact assemblyembodying features of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view in elevation of a pulse contact assemblytaken substantially along line IV IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of another type of pulse contactactuator assembly, part of the frame being broken away to clarify theshowing.

Figure 6 is a front view in elevation of pulse contact assembly as shownin Figure 5.

The schematic wiring diagram illustrates a novel arrangement ofelectrical connections by which the tape transmitter of the typecomprising the subject matter of the aforesaid copending patentapplication may be advantageously used and operated to automaticallytransmit coded tape perforated messages to any number of local anddistant stations. Any practical number of distributors and tapetransmitters may be connected in the printer circuit withoutinterruption or impairment to its operation owing to the lower energydrain of the transmitter described in detail in the aforesaid copendingpatent application.

The transmitter ID essentially includes a plurality of code bar contactsll, I2, |3, I4 and I5, in this instance five, which confront resilientfeelers I5, l1, l8, l9, and 20, respectively, in

frictional engagement therewith for normal separation by a transmittertape 2| that is displaced therebetween by a feeding mechanism including,in this instance, the electro-magnet 22 which is controlled by a relay23. In order to accomplish the feeding of the tape 2|' without anyappreciable energy drain, the comparatively powerful magnet 22 having anapproximate resistance of 300 ohms is controlled by the relay coil 23 ofapproximately ohms which is a comparatively low drain energy factor inthe sixth or stop pulse lead 24-24.

The relay coil 23 is connected to the main line 2526 through confrontingdistributor contacts 2l28 and the lead 2'|2'|' detachably connected tocomplemental plug elements 28"29 which include complemental sets of pinjacks 3|l3| for the lead 2424. The contacts |||2|3 |4--i5 are connectedby leads 32-32', 33-33, 34-34', 35-35, and 3636, respectively, toconfronting distributor contacts 3l38, 3940, 4|--42, 4344, and 45-46which together with the contacts 2'|28 comprise the six pulse sets ofcontacts.

' So that there will be no signal transmission nor operation of the feedwheel (not shown) in the event any break occurs in the tape 2| or thelatter has been entirely displaced over the code terminals H to l5inclusive, automatically operable stop instrumentalities 41 and 48 aremounted in the path of the tape 2| in the manner fully illustrated anddescribed in Letters Patent of the United States Number 2,074,189 andissued March 16, 1937. The tape stop pin 4'! cooperates with a resilientterminal plate 49 having a lead 50 controlled by a manual switch 5| forconnection thereof to the sixth (stop) pulse lead 2424' to the line 25through the distributor contacts 2'| 28.

A shunt lead '52 cooperates with the switch 5| so that the relay 23 maybe shunted from the circuit in order to render the tape feed mechanisminoperative. The other tape stop instrumentality 48 which cooperateswith the resilient plate 49, is connected through leads 53-53 to theline 25 so that the feed magnet controlling relay 23 will beautomatically shunted from the line in the event the tape 2| shouldbecome interrupted by a tear or the latter has been entirely displacedover the code terminals |'|-|5 inclusive. The leads 5353 areinterconnected between J'acks 3ll3| for which there are eightcomplemental sets comprising, in this instance, the plug members 28-29to render it possible to instantaneously cut the transmitter Hi from thedistributor 54 of the jack contacts 2'|28, 3'| 38, 3940, 4|42, 43-44,and 4546 constituting a part of its actuator 55 as will appear morefully hereinafter.

The distributor 54 comprises in part, in this instance, a rotary shaft56 which is rotated substantially at 400 R. P. M. by a fractional horsepower motor (not shown). A plurality of transmitter cams 51, in thisinstance six, having corresponding depressions 58 circumferentiallyspaced relative to each other on the shaft 56, rotate in the path ofbell crank motion transmitting members '59 disposed in the path thereoffor oscillatory movement about a pivot 6|] anchored on the frame 5| ofthe distributor 54 (Figure 3). As shown, each of the cams 51 have amotion transmitting bell crank 59 provided in the path thereof so that anode 62 provided thereon will establish physical contact with camdepressions 58 and through bell crank hook 62' effect engagement withsprings 63 serving as carriers for the contacts 28, 38, 4|], 42, 44 and46.

The springs 53 are spaced and insulated from correspondingly shaped andconfronting plate members 64 which are mounted between longitudinallydisposed bars 65, 66 and 61 (Figure 3) composed of insulation materialso that they may be secured to a plate anchored to the face 69 of thedistributor frame 6| through the medium of fasteners 12. It will beobserved that the rigid plate member 64 corresponds in size with andconfronts the jack springs 63 and current contacts 21, 31, 39, 4|, 43and 45 in confronting relation with the contacts 28, 38, 40, 42, 44 and45, respectively.

It should be observed that the contact 28 is separated and insulatedfrom the contacts 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 and the latter areinterconnected by a plate I 3 through which the threaded bolts or studs12 project to maintain the spring contacts 63 and their insulationspacing members 55, 56 and 51 in assembled relation for support by abracket 58. In this instance, the first five pulse contacts 38, 40, 42,44 and 46 are electrically connected through the medium of an in- Thebracket 68' ternally assembled metallic plate 13 (Figures 2 and 3),while the sixth pulse contact 28 is insulated therefrom through themedium of insulation. strip 13' so that the common lead 13" can beutilized for the first 'five pulse contacts and a separate lead 25extends to the main line for the sixth pulse contact 28. In consequencethereof, the spring contacts 38, 4|], 42, 44 and 46 have a common lead13" terminating in a manual switch 14 cooperating with spaced poles "land 16 that terminate in the leads 18 of the common line lead 25,respectively. As shown, a printer magnet 19 is in the line While aresistance may be incorporated in the leads 18 to balance the system.

While the relay 23 is operated direct from themain line through thesixth pulse 24-24, the feed magnet 22 is operated from another source ofpower which is connected through leads 8l--82 that preferably though notessentially have resistances 83 and 84 provided in the line to terminatein pins and 86 constituting a complemental part of jacks 87 and 88 thatcomprise a part of a plug 89. The jacks 8? and 88 are connected to leadsand SI which are interconnected across the feed magnet 22 through anarmature 92 of the relay 23, thereby serving as a switch toautomatically open and close the feed magnet circuit responsive to thesixth pulse Ml-25 connected to the main line 25.

Another type of actuator feed pulse contact is shown in Figures 5 and 6.In this embodiment, an actuator cam shaft 58 is provided with cams 57'that have arcuate nodes 58' provided therein in contrast to thedepressions 53 in the preceding embodiment. The earns 51' cooperate withtransmitter bell cranks 5d pivoted as at 5% so that the bell crankactuator edge 62 will be in the path of the cam 51* and its node 58'. Asshown, the bell crank 55' extends outwardly to form a node 62 whichestablishes physical contact with springs 93 to flex them with itscontact 28 from the fixed contact Z'i' mounted on the plate member 64which depends downwardly for at tachm nt with the contact spring $3 formounting in the frame of a distributor 54'. While only a single actuatorcam and lever has been described, the remaining contacts havecorrespond-- ing elements spaced in the path thereof.

As shown, the insulation strips 65, 66, and 6-1 separate the contactsprings 53' from the plate 64 and they are maintained in assembledrelation through the medium of threaded fasteners M. The springs 63' arespaced and insulated from correspondingly shaped and confronting platemembers 64 which are mounted between longitudinally disposed bars 65,66' and 61 (Figure 6) composed of insulation material so that they maybe secured to a plate 68' anchored to the base 69' of the distributorframe 6 i through the medium of fasteners 12. It will be observed thatthe rigid plate member 64 corresponds in size with and confronts thejack springs 83 and current contacts 21, 31', 38, 4!, 43 and 45' inconfronting relation with the contacts 28', 38', 40, 42', :34 and it,respectively. is anchored to the base 65' by means of a threadedfastener 12'.

In order to render the actuator assembly 55' immediately available foruse in conjunction with the circuit wired as illustrated in Figure 1, anadaptor 93 (Figures 5 and 6) is stamped or otherwise shaped fromresilient material such as bronze mounted on a bar 94 of insulationmaterial to present independent spring contact fingers 95. Thespringcontact fingers are secured to the insulation bar 94 by means ofthreaded studs 86 for attachment thereto in spaced relationcorresponding with the spacing of the plate 64 that confronts thecontact springs 63'. The spring contact fingers 95 are so shaped as tofrictionally engage the contact carrying plate 64 in order to establishelectrical contact therewith.

In order to maintain the adaptor 93 in operative position for frictionalassociation with the plate 64', substantially U-shaped adaptor attachingclamps 9'! are fastened to the ends of the insulation bar 94 by means offastening screws 98. In consequence thereof, the free arms of theadaptor clamps 91 will embrace the undersides of the end plate 64(Figures 5 and 6) to frictionally hold the adaptor 93 with its springcontact finger 95 in operative position. The wires 32', 33', 34', 35',and 36 can be soldered or otherwise connected to the spring contactfingers 95 and the extreme right adaptor attaching clamp 53'! while thesixth pulse lead 24 can be soldered or otherwise anchored to the extremeleft adaptor attaching clamp 91 to instantly connect the plate 64' ofthe actuator assembly to the circuit by merely detachably engaging theadaptor 93 therewith.

It will be observed, therefore, that any one of the common type ofdistributor contact assemblies can be utilized without any specialwiring other than the provision of an adaptor 93. The operation issimilar to that shownand described in connection with the precedingembodiment, and it will be apparent that a novel arrangement has beenprovided for operating the feed magnet direct from the main line throughthe sixth pulse.

In operation, the distributor 5| is started manually by a shaft clutchoperating latch (not shown) causing contacts 3l38, 39 il, 4l42, 4344,4546 and 2'l29 to close and open successively in sequence ii--i*i3i4iJ--lEH--l2--i3--l4-I5-l6 or sequentially any combination thereof, only onecontact being closed at any one time to transmit the selected message.Pulses lll2-l3i=ii5 established through contacts t'l-Sil, 39-4d, (li-42,4tl-fi4, 45-46 are code pulses, and the sixth pulse established throughcontacts 2l--23 is the stop pulse. Assuming tape 2| is in thetransmitter between contacts H-l5, i2 ll, iii-Ea, l i -le, I5-20, andopens contacts 3849 by the tape 2| pressing on pin 41, the followingpulse circuits will be established:

It should be noted that the terminals SET-28' are intended forconnection to the printer and distributor magnets which comprise a partof the printer (not shown). Consequently, the leads 2526 which extend tothe terminals HEP-2t, convey the signal impulses to the printer.

It will be noted only the sixth or stop pulse operates the tape feedmagnet 22 through the relay 23. When the tape 2| has moved out of thetransmitter l9, all five pulse contacts |Il2l3ldl5 will close. Thesepulses would continue through the line as long as manual clutchcontrolling latch operates the distributor shaft 56, except for contactbeing established between terminals 4849 by th passing of end of tape 21from above the pin 4'5. This results in a complete shunt of all sixdistributor contacts 2l-28, 31-38, 394ll, ll-42, 4344, 4546 and the feedmagnet coil controlling relay 23. The shunt circuit follows 26'-2l"2'l'5l-5ll4il-485353'25l9-25'. The line is closed even though thedistributor 54 continues to operate, and the distant office is affordedthe immediate use of wire. The attendant at the home ofiice may at hisconvenience unlatch the distributor 54 later to declutch the shaft 56from the driving motor.

For keyboard transmission, the switch 5! is displaced to connect withlead 52 to eliminate the shunt previously established between the tapestop elements 484S. This will allow the distributor contacts to functionmechanically to open or close in accordance with controlled keyboardoperation. When the tape transmitter switch M is on the keyboardposition the sixth or start pulse is as follows-2fi'2l"21-232424'2'l28-25l.925'. The code pulses are the same as shown for tapetransmission. The

separation of the sixth pulse contacts 21-48 (Figure l) or the cuttingof the contact strip H by incorporating the insulation insert 93 (Figure5) enables the home office to stop the operation of home printer bythrowing the five pulses around printer magnet 19 by moving switch 14 to75. Thus the outgoing code pulses take circuit by way of l3, M, 75, 16,80 and 18 to render the home printer 19 inoperative.

Should the distant office desire to stop the transmission, any key onthe keyboard may be used to send a signal through the stop pulse at homeoffice (which of course continues to affect printer magnet). Obviously,the stop pulse constitutes a start pulse as soon as its contacts separate to indicate an open line which is the beginning of the start pulse.The result is the printing of random printing on the home printer untilthe home office stops sending and awaits further word from the distantofiice. the transmitter is such as will function at hightest speed on aminimum of power thus enabling use of the stop pulse from the main lineto directly operate the feed magnet and eliminate the local circuit forthis purpose.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of thefeatures of the invention, and nothing herein shall be construed aslimitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment asto the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a telegraph system, the combination with means for guiding thetraverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predeterminedpath, of a plurality of pulse circuits arranged to send impulses over amain line, a stop pulse circuit in said main line independent of saidfirst named pulse circuits, and magnetic tape feeding means in saidpredetermined tape guiding path, said stop pulse circuit being connectedto said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advance said tape.

The structure of 2. In a telegraph system, the combination with meansfor guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along apredetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits, confrontingcontacts in said predetermined path arranged to send impulses over amain line, a stop pulse circuit in said main line independent of saidfirst named pulse circuits, and magnetic tape feeding means in saidpredetermined tape guiding path, said stop pulse circuit being connectedto said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advance said tape.

3. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guidingthe traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predeterminedpath, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contactsdisposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tapeunless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein,electrical magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmissiontape past said confronting contacts, and a stop pulse circuit connectedbetween the main line of signal transmission and said magnetic tapefeeding means to control the operation thereof.

4. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guidingthe traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predeterminedpath, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contactsdisposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tapeunless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein,electrical relay pulse controlled magnetic tape feeding means fordirecting said transmission tape past said confronting contacts, and astop pulse circuit connected between the main line of signaltransmission and said magnetic tape feeding means to control theoperation thereof.

5. In a telegraph system having a distributor provided with contactsarranged to send impulses over the line, means for controlling saidcontacts, means for controlling the operation of said distributor,electrically operated perforated tape transmitter having contactsadapted to be controlled by the perforations of a tape, electricalconnections between said tape contacts and said distributor contactswhereby the line impulses are controlled by the tape, electromagnetictape feeding means, and a stop pulse circuit controlled by saiddistributor and connected between said line and said electromagnetictape feeding means for controlling the operation thereof.

6. In a telegraph system having a distributor provided with contactsarranged to send impulses over the line, means for controlling saidcontacts, means for controlling the operation of said distributor,electrically operated perforated tape transmitter having contactsadapted to be controlled by the perforations of a tape, electricalconnections between said tape contacts and said distributor contactswhereby th line impulses are controlled by the tape, electromagnetictape feeding means having an independent electrical power source, arelay control for said electromagnetic tape feeding means, and a stoppulse circuit controlled by said distributor and connected between saidlin and said electromagnetic tape feeding means for controlling theoperation thereof, said relay control being in said stop pulse circuitto control the energization of said tape feeding means by saidindependent electrical power source.

'7. A telegraph system having a distributor provided with contactsarranged to send impulses over the line, a perforated tape transmitterhaving contacts connected with said distributor contacts whereby theline impulses are controlled by the perforations of a tape,electromagnetic tape feeding means associated with said tapetransmitter, electrical means for operating said tape transmitter andcontrolling the operation of said distributor, said contacts including aplurality of pulse circuits, said contacts operated by said distributorfor opening and closing said pulse circuits, other contacts operated bythe tape for controlling said circuits, and a stop pulse circuitconnected to said main line and controlled by said distributor tooperate said electromagnetic tape feeding means.

8. A telegraph system having a distributor provided with contactsarranged to send impulses over the line, a perforated tape transmitterhaving contacts connected with said distributor contacts whereby theline impulses are controlled by the perforations of a tape,electromagnetic tape feeding means associated with said tapetransmitter, a relay for controlling the energization of saidelectromagnetic taping feeding means, electrical means for operatingsaid tape transmitter and controlling the operation of said distributor,said contacts including a plurality of pulse circuits, said contactsoperated by said distributor for opening and closing said pulsecircuits, other contacts operated by the tape 'for controlling saidcircuits, and a stop pulse circuit connected to said main line andcontrolled by said distributor to operate said electromagnetic tapefeeding means.

9. In a telegraphic system, the combination with means for guiding thetraverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predeterminedpath, of a plurality of pulse circuits including a stop pulse circuitarranged to send impulses over a main line, and magnetic tape feedingmeans in said predetermined tape guiding path. said stop pulse circuitbeing connected to said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advancesaid tape.

WALDO G. RICE.

